What To Know
- A $1.35 million lawsuit filed by inmate Christopher Michael Marx against Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos was dismissed.
- Sheriff Nanos continues to lead the search for Nancy Guthrie with FBI assistance, but no suspect has been named.
- Both the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department have released statements about alleged ransom notes in the case.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos — the lead investigator in Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie‘s mom Nancy Guthrie‘s case — just got some good news, as a $1.35 million lawsuit filed against him has been dismissed.
In March, an Arizona inmate, Christopher Michael Marx, filed the lawsuit. A judge gave Marx until April 9 to pay filing and administrative fees, or to submit paperwork allowing him to proceed to court without pre-paying the fees.
On July 1, an order filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona officially dismissed the case, Newsweek reported.
Marx claimed that Nanos and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PSCD) put his life in jeopardy, News Nation reported. He alleged that a sheriff’s deputy did not disinfect himself and that Nanos did not work to ensure that COVID-19 was contained despite another unit being in quarantine after an inmate contracted COVID-19.
Amid Nancy’s disappearance, Nanos has faced ongoing criticism of his handling of the investigation. The sheriff also faced the possibility of being removed from office over allegations of perjury. Ultimately, the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted against removal and, instead, referred the allegations to the state Attorney General’s Office.
In the meantime, Nanos has continued to lead the Nancy’s case with assistance from the FBI. The 84-year-old was last seen at her Tucson, Arizona, home on the evening of January 31, with her family reporting her missing on February 1.
Savannah has offered a $1 million reward, and the FBI has released video clips and still images of a masked suspect on Nancy’s front porch. However, no suspect has been named more than five months later.
In early July, both the FBI and PCSD released statements about alleged ransom notes in Nancy’s case.
FBI Phoenix wrote via X, “The FBI and its task force partners have received several ransom notes over the course of this investigation,” the statement began. “Some have been deemed to be extortion attempts without legitimacy. Other ransom demands may potentially be legitimate and are still being investigated as such.”
Meanwhile, the PCSD stated on X, “Throughout this investigation, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) has received information regarding potential ransom notes related to the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie. Every tip and lead is taken seriously and is forwarded directly to our detectives, who continue to work in coordination with the FBI. Any questions regarding alleged ransom notes should be directed to the FBI.”